Top 6 Shining Pokemon: Neo Destiny Expansion

The Neo Destiny Set

Like many kids, I didn't even know how to play the TCG, I just enjoyed collecting and trading the cards. As an adult, I can better appreciate the strategic aspects of the game, and still love to scour through cards and find the best of the best.

Recently, I stumbled upon the Neo Destiny expansion, which features both "Light" and "Dark" Pokemon, emphasizing how the creatures mirror the moralities of their Trainers. Feel free to examine the best of the Light or deadliest of the Dark, but today we're examining the unique "Shining" cards of Neo Destiny!

Shining Pokemon Quiz

Evolution Stages

Stage 1 Pokemon are evolutions that must be played on a corresponding Basic Pokemon.

Stage 2 Pokemon are further evolutions to be played on corresponding Stage 1 Pokemon.

Shining Noctowl

6. Shining Noctowl

Shining Pokemon are known for requiring multiple kinds of energy to fuel their attacks, making them somewhat difficult to use effectively. Still, Noctowl swoops in with a decent 60 HP.

Flashing Eyes(3 energy) Requires a Psychic, an Electric, and any other energy, and deals a moderate 30 damage. Then you flip 3 coins, and apply the following effect:

No Heads: No extra effect.

One Heads: Defending Pokemon falls asleep.

Two Heads: Defending Pokemon becomes Confused.

Three Heads: Defending Pokemon becomes Paralyzed.

Noctowl's resistance to Fighting and low Retreat cost cement it as one of the more playable Shining Pokemon.

Shining Celebi

5. Shining Celebi

A Basic Pokemon, Shining Celebi joins the fray without having to evolve - although to use all its attacks, it needs three different types of energy.

Healing Water(1 energy) Removes damage counters from one of your Benched Pokemon equal to the number Water Energy on Celebi; I just wish it could use this on itself.

Miracle Leaf (2 energy) Needs a Grass and Psychic energy. Nicks a wimpy 10 damage, then flip coins equal to the number of energy cards on the Defending Pokemon. Landing a single Heads lets you put them to sleep, Paralyze them, or Poison them - your choice!

Though he needs several types of energy, Celebi's ability to choose status conditions and freedom from evolution earn him points.

Shining Tyranitar

4. Shining Tyranitar

Shining Tyranitar has low HP for a Stage 2 at only 80, but suffers no weakness and brandishes a resistance to Psychic. His attacks are powerful, but again, you need three types of energy to use all of them.

Mountain Crush(3 energy) Cranks out 30 and lets you flip a coin until you get Tails. Each Heads discards a card from the top of your opponent's deck. With some good luck, this move can perform immense deck destruction to help secure a win.

Destructive Fire(4 energy) Blasts 50, but you must flip a coin for each Fire energy on Tyranitar. Every Heads makes you discard a Fire energy, but also lets you discard an energy from your opponent.

Tyranitar's attacks show power, but most players face difficulty gathering the amounts of Dark, Fighting, and Fire energy to use them.

Shining Kabutops

3. Shining Kabutops

Shining Kabutops also has 80, more impressive on a Stage 1. Though he's weak to Grass and has no resistance, let's examine his menacing attacks.

Lightning Cut (3 energy) Works wonders if you land a Heads. When you do, it bashes for 40, and also hits opposing Benched Pokemon for 10. Tails weakens the attack to 30, doesn't damage the Bench, and inflicts 10 to Kabutops.

Water Slash (4 energy) Slices for an impressive 50 damage. It'll also deal an extra 10 for each Water energy on Kabutops that isn't being used for the attack, and it ignores enemy Resistance, guaranteeing some gargantuan damage.

Kabutops dominates adversaries with his offense.. when you're able to accumulate the needed Fighting, Electric, and Water Energy

Shining Raichu

2. Shining Raichu

Shining Raichu has average HP, at 70, and only one (expensive) attack, but you only need two types of energy for the impressive blow.

Thundersquall(4 energy) Hammers out 40 damage, then lets you deals 10 damage for each Water energy on Raichu, which should be at least two, considering you need that for the attack. At minimum, you're dealing 60 total, with potential to land more!

A great technique and low Retreat Cost ensure Raichu remains one of the best Shining Pokemon.

Shining Mewtwo

1. Shining Mewtwo

A Basic Pokemon with a considerable 70 HP, Shining Mewtwo has two potent moves:

Reflect Shield (2 energy)Flips a coin if your opponent deals damage to Mewtwo next turn. Get a Heads, and you not only prevent the damage, but also hit them for 20 on their own turn!

Psyburst (3 energy)Unfortunately forces you to discard a Fire energy but blasts for 40, plus an additional 10 for each energy on the Defending Pokemon!

Shining Mewtwo needs Electric and Fire energy in addition to Psychic, but only in small doses. Give him a shot to experience his stellar offense and defense, but remember his weakness to Psychic.

Your Vote

Admittedly, Shining Pokemon are challenging to use because of their erratic energy costs, but I like their concept and art - I just think the payoff needs to be higher. Regardless, I'm crossing my fingers for future sets of them.

For now, feel free to vote for your favorite, and I'll see you at our next expansion countdown: the Expedition set!